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Asian Art :
Art of Thailand : Rattanakosin Sculpture of a Kneeling Buddha
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Rattanakosin Sculpture of a Kneeling Buddha - PF.6246
Origin: Thailand
Circa: 19
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
15" (38.1cm) high
Collection: Asian
Medium: Gilt Bronze
$3,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
After the destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 by the
Burmese, King Tak Sin the Great drove out the
invaders and reunified the country, establishing a
new capital at Thonburi, a strategic river port
town at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River.
After Tak Sin was deposed, Thong Duang was
chosen as king, known as Rama I, establishing
the Chakri Dynasty which continues to reign over
Thailand to this day. He moved the capital
across the banks of the Chao Phraya River to its
present location of Bangkok. The art of this
period is known as the Rattanakosin style,
although it is also referred to as the Bangkok
style. Naturally, Rattanakosin art carried on
many of the traditions of the Ayutthayan style,
thereby establishing a link with the past.
The historical figure, Buddha Gautama
Sakyamuni is the Buddha of compassion who,
having achieved the highest evolutionary
perfection, turns suffering into happiness for all
living beings. Born around 560 B.C. somewhere
between the hills of south Nepal and the Rapti
river, his father was a Raja who ruled over the
northeastern province of India, the district
including the holy Ganges River. The young
prince was married to Yashoda when he was
about 17 years old and together they had a son
named Rahula. At the age of 29, he left his life of
luxury, as he felt compelled to purify his body
and make it an instrument of the mind by ridding
himself of earthly impulses and temptations.
Here, the Buddha is represented kneeling upon a
rectangular pedestal. The Buddha displays calm
and peaceful expression. Such expression reveals
the clear, pure state of his mind that is separate
from the carnal world. He wears a large crown
that hangs down to the ears in the form of
foliated wings. He also wears a diamond shaped
pectoral piece, a large beaded neckpiece, and an
ornate garment that cascades over his body. The
wing shaped decoration motif is also attached on
the Buddha's arms and knees. This beautiful gilt
Buddha figure shows one's purest effort and
energy to reach the goodness and the rectitude
within. And as the beloved symbol of a religion,
this gilt Buddha perhaps was placed in a temple
or a shrine to be cherished and worshiped.
- (PF.6246)
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